Agenda - Council - 08/13/2002 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mr. Elvig stated Mr. Isaacson of MnDOT indicated the Highway 10 corridor doesn't necessarily have to start in Anoka or Coon Rapids. He noted there is a lot of traffic on Armstrong Boulevard and Highway l 0. Mayor Gamec asked if there had been a discussion about funding. Mr. Elvig stated he did not hear anything about funding. He stated he would suggest putting in the bridge and improving the roads to eliminate the bottleneck. Mr. Elvig stated the people involved with the Task Force are A1 Pearson, Alena Hunter, Chris Riley, Bonnie Thompson, Don Kveton, and Eric Watson. ~n addition, John Feges, the developer, stops in from time to time. Mayor Gamec stated this Task Force has generated a lot of interest and enthusiasm. Councilmember Hendriksen thanked Mr. Elvig for this report. He stated one of his concerns is that the Town Center Study done by Calthorpe Associates took a global look at the world through a keyhole. He asked if the Task Force is looking at it in more of a global way. Mr. Elvig stated Calthorpe Associates may be looking at it in the confines of a mixed use in the Comprehensive Plan and elements of that will be positive no matter where the Town Center is located. He stated the issues related to distances and balance will still be pertinent. Mr. Elvig stated the Task Force is looking more globally in addressing the proposed epicenter and options elsewhere, uses, and if those uses can stretch out to other areas. He stated they are still addressing the locations but need more information to make a recommendation. Councilmember Hendriksen stated he assumed Armstrong Boulevard would not be moving but the MnDOT maps show it intersects with Highway 10 at a right angle. He stated that all plays into how the bridge comes across and where it might be located. Mr. Elvig stated how it transitions and flows into or out of commercial areas and impact to residential areas are also considerations. Councilmember Hendriksen commented on a commercial area that has been limping along due to lirnited access as opposed to the Mall of America which was successful because it had all the roads it needed. He stated it appears that planning is of the essence and asked if Len Levine would be of assistance. He also asked if there is a way to move this ahead because of the City's immediate need. I I I I ! -74- Mr. Elvig stated that enthusiasm, internal marketing, and external marketing are important to move it up as well as getting real proposals on the table. However, first they need to study the costs and business side of the development. He stated they know the area needs housing so the residential portion will take off. Mr. Elvig stated they are not yet smart enough to make that recommendation until more studies are available so there will be a time when they will come back and ask for help. Councilmember Hendfiksen stated he always thought the area along Highway 10 would be the business part that saves us all from taxes in the future. EIe stated he understands the businesses would favor having lots of houses around them but, hopefully, there will be projections on what City Council/July 9, 2002 Page 16 of 24 I I I I I